Kusuo Abe

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Ikiru (1952)

Kanji Watanabe is a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for decades. Learning he has cancer, he starts to look for the meaning of his life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Takashi Shimura  •  Haruo Tanaka  •  Nobuo Kaneko  •  Bokuzen Hidari

Kanji Watanabe is a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for decades. Learning he has cancer, he starts to look for the meaning of his life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Takashi Shimura  •  Haruo Tanaka  •  Nobuo Kaneko  •  Bokuzen Hidari

Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (1954)

Struggling to elevate himself from his low caste in 17th century Japan, Miyamoto trains to become a mighty samurai warrior.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hiroshi Inagaki
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Rentaro Mikuni  •  Mariko Okada  •  Kurôemon Onoe

Struggling to elevate himself from his low caste in 17th century Japan, Miyamoto trains to become a mighty samurai warrior.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hiroshi Inagaki
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Rentaro Mikuni  •  Mariko Okada  •  Kurôemon Onoe

Bushido: The Cruel Code of the Samurai (1963)

After a salary-man's fiancée attempts suicide, he recounts his gruesome family history which saw generations of his ancestors suffer and sacrifice themselves for the sake of their cruel lords.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Imai
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Eijirō Tōno  •  Kyôko Kishida  •  Masayuki Mori

After a salary-man's fiancée attempts suicide, he recounts his gruesome family history which saw generations of his ancestors suffer and sacrifice themselves for the sake of their cruel lords.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Imai
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Eijirō Tōno  •  Kyôko Kishida  •  Masayuki Mori

The Forbidden Castle (1959)

From an original story by Shibata Renzaburo, the novelist who created such classics as: the "Nemuri Kyoshiro" series (Son of the Black Mass), "Destiny’s Son" etc. comes the complex story exploring the mystery behind why Ino Morimasa betrayed his sworn brother ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yasushi Sasaki
CAST:  Kusuo Abe  •  Kensaku Hara  •  Kunio Kaga  •  Heisuke Kinami

From an original story by Shibata Renzaburo, the novelist who created such classics as: the "Nemuri Kyoshiro" series (Son of the Black Mass), "Destiny’s Son" etc. comes the complex story exploring the mystery behind why Ino Morimasa betrayed his sworn brother ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yasushi Sasaki
CAST:  Kusuo Abe  •  Kensaku Hara  •  Kunio Kaga  •  Heisuke Kinami

Cruel Story of the Shogunate's Downfall (1964)

A headstrong young man seeks to join the Shinsengumi, but while his determination impresses his superiors, questions begin to arise as to his true identity and intentions.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Sumiko Fuji  •  Hashizo Okawa  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chōichirō Kawarasaki

A headstrong young man seeks to join the Shinsengumi, but while his determination impresses his superiors, questions begin to arise as to his true identity and intentions.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Sumiko Fuji  •  Hashizo Okawa  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chōichirō Kawarasaki

Lucky Adventurer Nobunaga Oda (1959)

Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582) was a major daimyo during the Warring State period of Japanese history. He was the second son of Oda Nobuhide, a deputy military governor with land holdings in Owari province. Nobunaga lived a life of continuous military conquest, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Toshikazu Kono
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Katsuo Nakamura  •  Kotaro Satomi  •  Kyōko Kagawa

Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582) was a major daimyo during the Warring State period of Japanese history. He was the second son of Oda Nobuhide, a deputy military governor with land holdings in Owari province. Nobunaga lived a life of continuous military conquest, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Toshikazu Kono
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Katsuo Nakamura  •  Kotaro Satomi  •  Kyōko Kagawa

Ishimatsu: the One-Eyed Avenger (1960)

Some of the finest jidai-geki actors appear in this exciting and entertaining tale of intrigue and action in old Japan. Teaming up the ever-popular Misora Hibari with the greatest samurai action hero of all-time Wakayama Tomisaburo is a brilliant stoke of casting. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Sawashima
CAST:  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Chie Ueki  •  Kotaro Satomi  •  Hibari Misora

Some of the finest jidai-geki actors appear in this exciting and entertaining tale of intrigue and action in old Japan. Teaming up the ever-popular Misora Hibari with the greatest samurai action hero of all-time Wakayama Tomisaburo is a brilliant stoke of casting. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Sawashima
CAST:  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Chie Ueki  •  Kotaro Satomi  •  Hibari Misora

Edo Girl Detective (1958)

Oshichi, a famous girl detective, takes it upon herself to investigate the murder of a woman which occurs during an event for the festival of Asakusa Shrine. Her investigation leads her into danger as she runs afoul of a high ranking official and his plans to find ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Sawashima
CAST:  Hibari Misora  •  Koinosuke Onoe  •  Kotaro Satomi  •  Shunji Sakai

Oshichi, a famous girl detective, takes it upon herself to investigate the murder of a woman which occurs during an event for the festival of Asakusa Shrine. Her investigation leads her into danger as she runs afoul of a high ranking official and his plans to find ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Sawashima
CAST:  Hibari Misora  •  Koinosuke Onoe  •  Kotaro Satomi  •  Shunji Sakai

In Search of Mother (1962)

Period piece about a young man who, because of his hard life alone in the world, has become a yakuza. When he hears that his mother may be living in Edo (Tokyo), he travels there, intent on finding her and leaving the swordsman's life behind. But a team of rival ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Hiroki Matsukata  •  Michiyo Kogure  •  Keiko Okawa

Period piece about a young man who, because of his hard life alone in the world, has become a yakuza. When he hears that his mother may be living in Edo (Tokyo), he travels there, intent on finding her and leaving the swordsman's life behind. But a team of rival ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Hiroki Matsukata  •  Michiyo Kogure  •  Keiko Okawa

13 Assassins (1963)

A sadistic Daimyo (feudal lord) rapes a woman and murders both her and her husband, but even when one of his own vassals commits suicide to bring attention to the crime, the matter is quickly hushed up. Not only will there be no punishment, but because the Daimyo ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Eiichi Kudo
CAST:  Chiezō Kataoka  •  Kō Nishimura  •  Ryôhei Uchida  •  Kanjūrō Arashi

A sadistic Daimyo (feudal lord) rapes a woman and murders both her and her husband, but even when one of his own vassals commits suicide to bring attention to the crime, the matter is quickly hushed up. Not only will there be no punishment, but because the Daimyo ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Eiichi Kudo
CAST:  Chiezō Kataoka  •  Kō Nishimura  •  Ryôhei Uchida  •  Kanjūrō Arashi

Sasuke and His Comedians (1963)

Osaka in the early 1600s, aftermath of the historical Battle of Sekigahara; a group of orphan children are wandering through the battlefield scavenging for armour when they encounter a young boy named Sasuke with magical powers he says came from a meteor that ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Jerry Fujio  •  Mickey Curtis  •  Misako Watanabe

Osaka in the early 1600s, aftermath of the historical Battle of Sekigahara; a group of orphan children are wandering through the battlefield scavenging for armour when they encounter a young boy named Sasuke with magical powers he says came from a meteor that ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Jerry Fujio  •  Mickey Curtis  •  Misako Watanabe

Miyamoto Musashi (1961)

In this first episode, we are introduced to Takezo, what Musashi used to be before he became the man of legend. His beginning are not exactly auspicious. He sides with the Toyotomi at Sekigahara, and as a result finds himself on the losing side of the historic ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Akiko Kazami  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura

In this first episode, we are introduced to Takezo, what Musashi used to be before he became the man of legend. His beginning are not exactly auspicious. He sides with the Toyotomi at Sekigahara, and as a result finds himself on the losing side of the historic ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Akiko Kazami  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura

Miyamoto Musashi: Birth of Two Sword Style (1963)

In the third installment of Yoshikawa's novel Musashi, things continue from the 2nd film at the end of battle, where Miyamoto continues on a mission of learning; with the introduction of his arch-rival Sasaki Kojiro; and lastly the large cast of characters ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chieko Naniwa

In the third installment of Yoshikawa's novel Musashi, things continue from the 2nd film at the end of battle, where Miyamoto continues on a mission of learning; with the introduction of his arch-rival Sasaki Kojiro; and lastly the large cast of characters ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chieko Naniwa

Miyamoto Musashi: The Duel at Ichijo Temple (1964)

In the fourth installment, Musashi's potentially greatest opponent Kojiro jumps in and out of the story at the oddest and most coincidental moments. As his great love Otsu has succumbed to madness. Musashi then sets off to beat the functionaries of a treacherous ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chieko Naniwa

In the fourth installment, Musashi's potentially greatest opponent Kojiro jumps in and out of the story at the oddest and most coincidental moments. As his great love Otsu has succumbed to madness. Musashi then sets off to beat the functionaries of a treacherous ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chieko Naniwa

Miyamoto Musashi V: Musashi vs Kojiro (1965)

The fifth and final installment with the build up of the epic battle between Sasaki Kojiro and Miyamoto Musashi. With all the familiar characters making appearances: Otsu (Musashi's great love), Akemi, Matahachi (his former fellow soldier), old lady Osugi (still ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Ken Takakura  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura

The fifth and final installment with the build up of the epic battle between Sasaki Kojiro and Miyamoto Musashi. With all the familiar characters making appearances: Otsu (Musashi's great love), Akemi, Matahachi (his former fellow soldier), old lady Osugi (still ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Ken Takakura  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura

Miyamoto Musashi: Showdown at Hannyazaka Heights (1962)

The remake of Yoshikawa's novel continues with the second installment in which Takezo, soon to be Miyamoto Musashi, emerges from the Himeji Castle after three years of intense contemplation and philosophical study and starting on his epic quest to complete his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chieko Naniwa

The remake of Yoshikawa's novel continues with the second installment in which Takezo, soon to be Miyamoto Musashi, emerges from the Himeji Castle after three years of intense contemplation and philosophical study and starting on his epic quest to complete his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chieko Naniwa

Kunisada Chūji (1958)

Kunisada Chuji is a common folk hero who looks out for poor people in the country who are at the mercy of corrupt officials. Intent on fulfilling a dying wish from one of his henchmen, Asataro, to find a decent home for his young nephew, Chuji descends from his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Shigehiro Ozawa
CAST:  Hiroko Sakuramachi  •  Eijirō Yanagi  •  Kotaro Satomi  •  Sōji Kiyokawa

Kunisada Chuji is a common folk hero who looks out for poor people in the country who are at the mercy of corrupt officials. Intent on fulfilling a dying wish from one of his henchmen, Asataro, to find a decent home for his young nephew, Chuji descends from his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Shigehiro Ozawa
CAST:  Hiroko Sakuramachi  •  Eijirō Yanagi  •  Kotaro Satomi  •  Sōji Kiyokawa

Evil Man of Edo (1959)

A classic battle between good and evil pits an unscrupulous fortuneteller who has been preying on the good citizens of Edo against a master-less samurai who founded a school for underprivileged children in a poor neighborhood. Into the mix comes a young woman ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Masahiro Makino
CAST:  Ryutaro Otomo  •  Keiko Okawa  •  Chizuru Kitagawa  •  Shunji Sakai

A classic battle between good and evil pits an unscrupulous fortuneteller who has been preying on the good citizens of Edo against a master-less samurai who founded a school for underprivileged children in a poor neighborhood. Into the mix comes a young woman ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Masahiro Makino
CAST:  Ryutaro Otomo  •  Keiko Okawa  •  Chizuru Kitagawa  •  Shunji Sakai

The Domain: White Blade (1967)

The Domain: White Blade  (more)

DIRECTION:  Masahiro Makino
CAST:  Ken Takakura  •  Kenji Sugawara  •  Yuriko Mishima  •  Kusuo Abe

The Domain: White Blade  (more)

DIRECTION:  Masahiro Makino
CAST:  Ken Takakura  •  Kenji Sugawara  •  Yuriko Mishima  •  Kusuo Abe

The Domain: Kanda Festival Showdown (1966)

The Domain: Kanda Festival Showdown  (more)

DIRECTION:  Masahiro Makino
CAST:  Ken Takakura  •  Koji Tsuruta  •  Sumiko Fuji  •  Minoru Ōki

The Domain: Kanda Festival Showdown  (more)

DIRECTION:  Masahiro Makino
CAST:  Ken Takakura  •  Koji Tsuruta  •  Sumiko Fuji  •  Minoru Ōki
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